International Journal of Social Psychiatry

 

Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (1)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Gunawardena, N.
Right arrow Articles by Athauda, T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Gunawardena, N.
Right arrow Articles by Athauda, T.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 53, No. 2, 135-147 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764006075029

Mental Health Outcome Of Unilateral Lower Limb Amputee Soldiers In Two Districts Of Sri Lanka

Nalika Gunawardena

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; nalikaguna{at}hotmail.com

Rohini De A Senevirathne

Department of Community Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Thamara Athauda

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Background: Thousands of armed forces personnel in Sri Lanka have undergone lower limb amputations due to war injuries.

Aims: The aims were to describe the mental health outcome of unilateral lower limb amputee male soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army in comparison with nonamputee males and to identify factors affecting the mental health outcome.

Methodology: Selected amputee soldiers (n = 461) and controls (n = 461) were evaluated for psychological distress using self-administered versions of GHQ-30 and BSI. Alcohol and drug consumption patterns were compared. Probable addiction to alcohol and drugs were assessed using the CAGE questionnaire.

Results: A majority were below-knee amputees (413, 89.6%). Among amputee soldiers 36% were found to be psychologically distressed according to GHQ-30 while 13.4% were found to be psychologically distressed using BSI. Psychological distress was greater among amputee soldiers compared to controls (p < 0.001). Alcohol consumption and substance abuse were more common among amputees (p < 0.05), as was probable addiction to alcohol (p < 0.001). Being less than 30 years of age (OR =1.6, 95%CI(1.12–2.26)) was a factor influencing presence of psychological distress, characterized by psychological symptoms. Employment in the army adversely influenced psychological distress, characterized by psychological symptoms (OR = 2.35, 95%CI(2.0–3.64)) and by somatic symptoms (OR = 1.8, 95%CI(1.23–3.14)).

Conclusions: The study concluded that amputees have a comparatively poor mental health outcome, which could be improved by modifying some associated factors.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 QJMHome page
J.E. Naschitz and R. Lenger
Why traumatic leg amputees are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases
QJM, April 1, 2008; 101(4): 251 - 259.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]